ADS was started by two technicians who decided it was time for a legal presence in the automotive community.
While Mr. Ferreira was in law school, he and Mr. Patterson had several conversations relating to the legal issues facing the automotive community.
From their time as technicians, parts specialists, smog techs, shop foreman, and service writers, they experienced a myriad of legal questions. From administrative law questions to criminal law, business law, and tax planning issues, they knew shops had the questions – but no one had the answers.
Most shops and technicians, just as we had experienced, were at the will of the Bureau of Automotive Repair or small claims court to protect their legal rights.
“Not worth it.”
“It would cost you more in legal fees to collect the amount owed to you.”
“You would lose if you went to court.”
“I don’t know anything about the Bureau of Automotive Repair or your industry, sorry I couldn’t help.”
Frustrated and disillusioned with the legal protections for these hard working businesses, many shops simply wrote off losses, took whatever punishment the bureau of automotive repair thought was fair, and represented themselves as best they could.
Not anymore. Not on our watch.
Automotive Defense Specialists was tired of seeing shops suspended, closed down, and found liable for things that have nothing to do with services they performed.
Shops and technicians are continuously bullied by the BAR, EPA, local municipalities, and disregarded by judges & juries as thieves attempting to sell consumers engine replacements when they came in for an oil change.
If they had any idea about what it takes to become a technician in this day in age, they would be astonished.
Most technicians and shop owners are more educated than many realize. With the need to continue learning new systems and technologies, technicians must stay current or risk falling behind.
Most technicians have tooling and equipment costs that could serve as a down payment on a home. Meanwhile, if they have a legal issue to handle, they spend half the morning trying to explain it to a judge what it is they do for a living – meanwhile they’re losing labor hours fighting something better equipped for legal experts.
ADS is here to dispel the myths behind automotive repair dealers and teach the legal system about the automotive industry.
From mechanics liens to the bureau of automotive defense, our firm focuses on litigating on behalf of our clients – the members of the automotive community.